Those who are at highest risk for diverticulitis are those who do not eat enough fiber in their diet, and do not get enough exercise or drink enough water. When individuals find out that those with a low fiber diet are at risk for diverticulitis they are more likely to want to change they’re eating habits and include more fiber in their meals. To get more fiber you should eat foods that are high in fiber, such as whole grain cereals, rolls and breads. You should eat fruits and vegetables with the skins on, and eat meals at regular times. It is important to chew your food slowly and thoroughly. You should drink lots of liquids, especially water, fruit and vegetable juices, and milk. Your body needs liquids to be able to function properly.

Exercise is an important preventative for many diseases including diverticulitis. Walking, bicycling and swimming are all good exercises we can do everyday to prevent diverticulitis.

Another good way to prevent diverticulitis is to answer the urge to move your bowels the first time to avoid having to strain later on.

If you notice any change in your bowel habits be sure to tell your doctor right away, as this could be a significant symptom in diverticulitis.

Individual can get diverticulitis even after following the above steps to avoid it. That is why it is important to know and understand the symptoms of diverticulitis so that you will know when to seek medical attention and advise. The main symptom of diverticulitis is pain in the lower left portion of your abdomen. Other symptoms are bloating, mild cramping in the lower abdomen, constipation or diarrhea, and signs of infection like fever, nausea or vomiting, and chills. The symptoms will be more severe if the diverticulitis is advanced or complications have occurred. You may suspect diverticulitis if you are aware of the symptoms for diverticulitis and experience the above symptoms. Seek medical attention quickly so that the doctor can run tests to confirm the diagnosis.

The doctor will take a complete medical history including a symptom report that includes bowel habits, symptoms, pain, diet and any medications that you are taking.

The doctor will conduct a physical examination that will include a rectal exam. You may be asked to have a barium enema x-ray, and also a colonoscopy. A complete blood count (CBC) and urinalysis will be ordered too so that the doctor can see if they indicate an infection. All of these tests will give clues to the doctor about what is going on in your body and help to make the diagnosis. It the test results prove that you have diverticulitis a treatment plan will be devised that is based on your symptoms and their severity.

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A patient with diverticulosis may have few, if any, symptoms. When a diverticulum becomes infected and ruptures, the condition is called diverticulitis. A patient suffering from diverticulitis experiences abdominal pain and tenderness, often accompanied by fever. Bleeding which originates from a diverticulum is called diverticulitis bleeding. Diverticular disease is common in the Western areas of the world, but is extremely rare in areas such as Asia and Africa. Diverticular disease increases with age and is uncommon before the age of forty. Most patients with diverticulitis develop bleeding, infection, constipation, abdominal cramps, and occasionally, colon obstruction.

Diverticulosis is the formation of numerous tiny pockets, or diverticula, in the lining of the bowel. Diverticula, which can range from pea size to much larger, are formed by increased pressure on weakened spots of the intestinal walls by gas, waste, or liquid. Diverticula can form while straining during a bowel movement, such as with constipation. They are most common in the lower portion of the large intestine, called the sigmoid colon. Diverticulosis is very common and typically occurs in people over the age of 40. Most people will have some, if any, symptoms from diverticula. Complications can occur in about 20% of people with diverticulosis. One of the main complications is rectal bleeding. Another is diverticular infection, called diverticulitis.

Because most people with diverticulosis do not have symptoms, it is usually determined by tests ordered for an unrelated reason. It is vital to visit with a physician to determine if diverticulosis is present. The physician asks questions regarding medical history, including bowel habits, symptoms, diet, and any current medication, and will perform a physical exam. This exam includes a digital rectal exam. One or more diagnostic tests may be ordered to help diagnose the condition. These tests may include X-rays, CT scanning, a sigmoidoscopy, ultrasound testing, colonoscopy, and blood tests to search for signs of infection or extent of bleeding.

Serious complications can occur as a result of diverticulitis. Most of them are the result of the development of a tear or perforation of the intestinal wall. If this occurs, intestinal waste material can leak out of the intestines and into the surrounding abdominal cavity. Peritonitis abscesses, and obstructions are some of the results caused by diverticulitis. It is important to maintain good bowel habits to help prevent diverticular disease or reduce the complications from it.

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Complications of diverticulitis include bleeding that is not controlled or stops on its own, bowel obstruction, or peritonitis. Complications from diverticulitis often mean that a section of the bowel tissue has become damaged or that the condition has spread from the colon into the abdominal cavity. The patient may experience severe abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting. Complications occur when diverticulitis is not caught early on, or when antibiotics and rest alone cannot control the condition.

Hospitalization:

Hospitalization is often required for individuals with diverticulitis in order to administer intravenous antibiotics. Individuals experiencing severe vomiting, or who have a fever of above 100 degrees Fahrenheit and who have a high white blood cell count, or the doctor feels are at risk for a bowel obstruction, or peritonitis or other abdominal complications may require hospitalization to monitor or treat the signs they are experiencing. Vomiting may lead to dehydration, which may be treated with intravenous fluids.

Surgery:

There are two surgical procedures that are performed in connection with diverticulitis. They are Primary Bowel Resection, which is also referred to as Sigmoid Resection or Segmental Resection and a Bowel Resection with Colostomy.

Primary Bowel Resection:

In the Primary Bowel Resection a surgeon will remove the damaged section of the intestine and then will reconnect healthy segments of the colon (anastomosis), which will allow the individual to have normal bowel movements. The surgeon may chose to perform a laparoscopic method instead of the traditional surgical methods because they require smaller incisions and the patient recovers faster.

Bowel Resection with a Colostomy:

The bowel resection with a colostomy is where the surgeon does the procedure (Hartmann’s procedure) as a response to a colon that has become so inflamed that it is not safe to rejoin any segments of the colon and the rectum. This usually means that the patient is in a life-threatening situation. The colostomy is usually a temporary situation that is used to give the colon a chance to heal and for the inflammation and infection to be controlled. There may be situations in which the colostomy is permanent. Usually it takes just a few months for the inflammation and infection to be controlled and then a second surgery is done to reconnect the colon and the rectum so that the patient can again have normal bowel movements.

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If the individual has just a mild case of diverticulitis it can be treated easily at home with rest, liquids or a low-fiber diet and oral antibiotics. Serious or complicated cases of diverticulitis need to be cared for in the hospital due to the need for intravenous fluids or intravenous antibiotics or even required surgery.

Diverticulitis can be mild or it can be severe, even to the point of being fatal.

Diverticulitis is preventable. It can also reoccur (happen again) if individuals are not careful with their diet, exercise and stress management.

Signs and Symptoms that you may have diverticulitis:

If you are suffering from a bout of diverticulitis it will feel as if you have appendicitis because the pain is in your abdomen. The difference is that with appendicitis the pain will be on the lower right side and with diverticulitis the pain is on the lower left side of your abdomen. The pain of diverticulitis is severe and comes on suddenly. The pain may fluctuate in intensity and may also start off mild and increase over several days. There is usually abdominal tenderness when the area is pressed. A fever is usually present. The individual may also suffer from nausea, diarrhea or constipation.

These other symptoms are less common to diverticulitis but may also occur:

* Bleeding from the rectum

* Bloating

* Difficulty or pain upon urination

* Frequent urination

* Tenderness in the abdomen when bending over or wearing a belt

* Vomiting

Diverticulitis is usually caused when the colon has weak places and pressure in the colon causes a bulge to appear in the weakened colon wall.

If the pressure continues or increases in the colon than this can lead to a small tear or perforation to develop in a pouch that has become infected or an inflamed diverticula’s. A localized collection of pus is called an abscess.

As we age we are more likely to see these colon changes. Aging is inevitable and little we can do to prevent this from happening but there are other factors in which we can do something about for instance, a diet that is low in fiber contributes to the formation of diverticula’s. We can make sure that we start eating a diet that contains fiber such as whole grains and fruits and vegetables. We can also increase our level of activity and exercise as this helps the colon to function normally.

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When these pockets become lodged with feces or food and the presence of these particles inflame the diverticula, infection can set in. The infected diverticula are called having a condition known as diverticulitis. This occurs in 10 to 25% of individuals with diverticulosis. The two conditions, diverticulosis and diverticulitis are referred to as diverticular disease.

Usually individuals who have diverticulosis have no symptoms and no discomfort. Some individuals with diverticulosis may experience mild cramping, bloating, or constipation. The same symptoms occur in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and stomach ulcers, so individuals are often misdiagnosed with these conditions when they really have diverticulosis. If you experience any of the above symptoms you should see your doctor for an examination and diagnosis.

When individuals have diverticulitis they may not have any discomfort or symptoms or they may have abdominal pain, tenderness on the left side of the lower abdomen, fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, cramping and also constipation. The severity of the symptoms will depend on how serious the infection is and if there are any complications associated with the condition.

There can be complications that can become severe if not treated immediately when a person has diverticulitis. The most common complications of diverticulitis are bleeding, abscess, perforation, fistula, intestinal obstruction, and peritonitis.

Bleeding is rare, but can occur. Bleeding comes from the diverticula and may show up on the toilet paper, or in the toilet. Bleeding can become severe as to cause signs of shock from severe blood loss. The bleeding can also be mild and stop on its own. If severe, the bleeding will need medical intervention, usually surgery.

When you have infected diverticula and antibiotics do not clear it up, it can become worse over the course of a few days and turn into an abscess when the infection expands past the diverticula and spills over into the abdomen. If the infected diverticula develop small holes, those small holes are called perforations. A large abscess can leak out into the abdominal cavity causing peritonitis. Peritonitis requires emergency surgery to clean out the abdominal cavity and to remove any damaged portion of the colon.

Fistulas are abnormal connection of tissue between either two organs or between an organ and the skin. They occur when damaged tissue contacts each other during the infection, and then stick together healing together. The most common fistula is that between the bladder and the colon.

Intestinal obstruction can be partial or total and blocks stool from exiting the colon. A total blockage is an emergency and a partial has the time to schedule an operation.

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Most people who suffer from diverticulosis do not have any discomfort or symptoms, however, symptoms may include mild cramps, bloating, and constipation. Other diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome, and ulcers cause similar problems. These symptoms are not indicative of diverticulosis. The differential diagnosis of diverticulosis includes colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome. It also includes a number of urological and gynecological processes. Bleeding from the rectum is also common. Patients are commonly studied with a CT scan, but also barium enema and colonoscopy tests

The colon is a long tube like structure that stores and then eliminates waste material. As a person gets older, pressure within the colon causes bulging pockets of tissues. This pushes the walls out from the colon walls. A small bulging sac pushing outward from the colon wall is called a diverticulum. More than one bulging sac is referred to as diverticula. Diverticula can occur throughout the colon but are most common near the end of the left colon called the sigmoid colon. The condition of having these diverticula in the colon is called diverticulosis. A patient with diverticulosis may have few or no symptoms. When a diverticulum becomes infected and ruptures, the condition is called diverticulitis.

Diverticular bleeding occurs when stool erodes into a blood vessel at the base of a diverticulum. Rectal passage of red, dark, or maroon colored blood and clots occur without any associated abdominal pain. Rarely, blood may be black in those bleeding from a diverticulum of the right colon. Bleeding may be continuous or intermittent, lasting several days. Patients with active bleeding are usually hospitalized for monitoring. Intravenous fluids are given to support the blood pressure. Blood transfusions are necessary for those with moderate to severe blood loss. Patients with persistent, severe bleeding require surgical removal of the bleeding diverticula.

Serious complications can occur as a result of diverticulitis. Most of them are the result of the development of a tear or perforation of the intestinal wall. If this occurs, intestinal waste material can leak out of the intestines and into the surrounding abdominal cavity. Peritonitis, abscesses, and obstructions are some of the results caused by diverticulitis. It is important to maintain good bowel habits to help prevent diverticular disease or reduce the complications from it. Symptoms include abdominal pain, abdominal cramps, constipation, diarrhea and bloating.

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Diverticulitis typically causes pain, tenderness, and fever, but unlike diverticulosis, diverticulitis does not generally cause gastrointestinal bleeding. If a doctor has diagnosed diverticulosis, a diagnosis of diverticulitis may be based almost entirely on the symptoms. Many other conditions involving the large intestine and other organs in the abdomen and pelvis can cause symptoms similar to diverticulitis. These symptoms are similar to appendicitis, colon or ovarian cancer, an abscess, which is a pus filled pocket of infection, and non-cancerous growths on the wall of the uterus.

Diverticulitis occurs when bacteria get trapped in the pouches. This leads to infection or inflammation. No screening is available at this time for diverticulitis. Starting at age 40, a procedure called a flexible sigmoidoscopy may be recommended every 3 to 5 years or a colonoscopy every 10 years as a screening exam for cancers of the colon and rectum. Both flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy involve using a flexible tube with a lighted viewing instrument to see inside the large intestine. These exams are often able to reveal diverticula if they are present. Treatment after recovery from an attack of diverticulitis is aimed at preventing another attack.

More serious complications include diverticulitis, abscess in the pelvis, colon obstruction, and bacterial peritonitis, plus bleeding in the colon. A diverticulum can become infected with bacteria and ruptures, causing diverticulitis. Fever, tenderness, and pain of the lower left abdomen are common symptoms. Constipation or diarrhea may also occur. A collection of pus can develop around the inflamed diverticulum, which leads to the formation of an abscess, usually in the pelvis. On rare occasions, the inflamed diverticula can erode into the urinary bladder, which causes a bladder infection and passing of gas during urination. Inflammation of the colon may also lead to bowel obstruction. On rare occasions, a diverticulum ruptures freely into the abdominal cavity causing life threatening infection caused peritonitis.

No screening is available at this time for diverticulitis. Starting at age 40, a procedure called a flexible sigmoidoscopy may be recommended every 3 to 5 years or a colonoscopy every 10 years as a screening exam for cancers of the colon and rectum. Both flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy involve using a flexible tube with a lighted viewing instrument to see inside the large intestine. These exams are often able to reveal diverticula if they are present. Treatment after recovery from an attack of diverticulitis is aimed at preventing another attack. This treatment may include getting plenty of fluids daily, gradually increasing the amount of fiber in the diet through fruits, vegetables, wheat bran, and the regular use of a fiber supplement. It is also highly recommended that regular doctor visits are conducted to monitor the condition.

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A patient with diverticulosis may have few, if any, symptoms. When a diverticulum becomes infected and ruptures, the condition is called diverticulitis. A patient suffering from diverticulitis experiences abdominal pain and tenderness, often accompanied by fever. Bleeding which originates from a diverticulum is called diverticulitis bleeding. Diverticular disease is common in the Western areas of the world, but is extremely rare in areas such as Asia and Africa. Diverticular disease increases with age and is uncommon before the age of forty. Most patients with diverticulitis develop bleeding, infection, constipation, abdominal cramps, and occasionally, colon obstruction.

The treatment needed for diverticulitis depends on how bad the symptoms are and whether an infection exists. In general there are a small percentage of people whose condition will move from diverticulosis to diverticulitis. This disease is generally seen in almost half of all Americans over the age of 60, but it is diagnosed to a lesser degree to many who are in their 40’s. The problem seems to increase with age as the weak areas of the colon continue to balloon out and result in pockets. Ballooning is caused by pressure such as exertion when a person is constipated by lack of fiber in their diet or because of certain medications. It has also been attributed to some gallbladder surgeries that have positioned the gall duct to drip directly into the intestines after the gallbladder has been removed.

It is very possible to minimize the effects of the diverticulitis in those who have already developed the condition. Choosing to convert to a diet which is aimed to control diverticulitis later in life can have significant health benefits. The recommended amount of fiber everyone needs to maintain a healthy colon is generally between 20 and 35 grams of fiber every day. Adding foods like baked beans, brown rice, bran, oats, pears, and squash can easily provide the necessary fiber for anyone. There are also many supplemental products that can be ingested which offer a valuable amount of fiber that is part of a diverticulitis diet treatment. For patients who already have developed colon problems, there are also foods that should be restricted from the typical diet in order to avoid problems. This disease can be managed in many ways, diet being one of the easiest.

Most people who suffer from diverticulosis do not have any discomfort or symptoms, however, symptoms may include mild cramps, bloating, and constipation. Other diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome, and ulcers cause similar problems. These symptoms are not indicative of diverticulosis. The differential diagnosis of diverticulosis includes colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome. It also includes a number of urological and gynecological processes. Bleeding from the rectum is also common. Patients are commonly studied with a CT scan, but also barium enema and colonoscopy tests.

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Many people have small pouches in their colons that bulge outward through weak spots, similar to an inner tube that protrudes through weak places in a tire. Each pouch is called a diverticulum, or diverticula. The condition of having diverticula is called diverticulitis. About 10 percent of Americans over the age of 40 have diverticulosis. The condition becomes more common as people age. About half of all people over the age of 60 have diverticulosis. When the pouches become infected or inflamed, the condition is called diverticulitis. This will occur in 10 to 20 percent of people with diverticulosis. Diverticulosis and diverticulitis are also called diverticular disease.

Most people with diverticulosis do not have any symptoms or discomfort to speak of. However, symptoms may include bloating, mild cramps, and constipation. Other diseases including irritable bowel syndrome and stomach ulcers cause similar problems. Because of these symptoms it is not an automatic indicator that a person has diverticulosis. Visiting a doctor for a diagnosis is very important if one is having these troubling symptoms. The most common symptom of diverticulitis is abdominal pain. The most common sign is tenderness around the left side of the lower abdomen. If infection is the cause, constipation, fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, and cramping may occur as well. The severity of symptoms depends on the extent of the infection and complications.

It has not yet been proven that a low fiber diet is the main cause of diverticular disease. The disease was first noticed in the United States in the early 1900’s. Around the same time, processed foods were introduced into the American diet. Many processed foods contain low fiber and refined flour. Refined flour, as opposed to whole wheat flour, has no wheat bran, therefore, no fiber. Fiber is the part of fruits, vegetables, and grains that the body is unable to digest. Some fiber dissolves easily in water, called insoluble fiber. Both kinds of fiber help make stools soft and easy to pass. Fiber also helps to prevent constipation. Constipation makes the muscles strain to move stool that is too hard. It is the main cause of increased pressure in the colon. The excess pressure may cause the weak spots in the colon to bulge out and become diverticula.

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Diet plays an enormous role in avoiding problems with diverticulitis. Avoidance of nuts, popcorn, and sunflower, pumpkin, caraway, and sesame seeds has been recommended by physicians as these foods could enter, block, or irritate the diverticula. There is no scientific data that supports this treatment measure. Eating a high fiber diet is the only requirement which is highly emphasized and eliminating specific foods is not necessary. The seeds in cucumbers, strawberries, raspberries, and tomatoes, as well as poppy seeds, are generally considered harmless. Everyone differs in the amounts and types of foods they are able to eat. Decisions about diet should be made based upon what works best for each individual person. A food diary would be beneficial to help identify individual items in the diet.

A patient with diverticulosis may have few, if any, symptoms. When a diverticulum becomes infected and ruptures, the condition is called diverticulitis. A patient suffering from diverticulitis experiences abdominal pain and tenderness, often accompanied by fever. Bleeding which originates from a diverticulum is called diverticulitis bleeding. Diverticular disease is common in the Western areas of the world, but is extremely rare in areas such as Asia and Africa. Diverticular disease increases with age and is uncommon before the age of forty. Most patients with diverticulitis develop bleeding, infection, constipation, abdominal cramps, and occasionally, colon obstruction. Typically, a diet with adequate fiber produces stool that is bulky and can easily move throughout the colon. A diet low in fiber requires the colon to exert more pressure than usual to move small and hard stools. A low fiber diet can also increase the time the stool remains in the bowel, which adds to the high

No screening is available at this time for diverticulitis. Starting at age 40, a procedure called a flexible sigmoidoscopy may be recommended every 3 to 5 years or a colonoscopy every 10 years as a screening exam for cancers of the colon and rectum. Both flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy involve using a flexible tube with a lighted viewing instrument to see inside the large intestine. These exams are often able to reveal diverticula if they are present. Treatment after recovery from an attack of diverticulitis is aimed at preventing another attack. This treatment may include getting plenty of fluids daily, gradually increasing the amount of fiber in the diet through fruits, vegetables, wheat bran, and the regular use of a fiber supplement. It is also highly recommended that regular doctor visits are conducted to monitor the condition.

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